Taking care of your teeth is both essential and easy. Knowing how to keep teeth healthy and strong can improve not just your oral health, but also your weight, your confidence, and your overall outlook on life. With these simple tips, you can safeguard your smile and keep dentist visits to a bare minimum.
- Home Care. Brushing and flossing at home are two of the most important activities for taking care of your teeth. Brushing at least twice a day can help remove plaque buildup. A nighttime brushing will take care of any leftover food particles, so that natural bacteria in your mouth will have less to snack on during the night. The morning brushing can take care of any bacterial leftovers that accumulated while you slept. And flossing right before or after you brush can help reach the places a toothbrush can’t.
- The Right Brush. There are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing a brush. Try to find a head with varying levels of bristle height, so you can cover more surface area even if you tend to hold your brush at a slight angle. If you have sensitive teeth, you may want to choose a softer set of bristles. But regardless of what kind of bristles you choose, make sure not to apply too much pressure when brushing. This can cause undue wear on your enamel, even with soft bristles. Get a new toothbrush every three months (use each solstice and equinox as a handy reminder).
- Picking Your Paste. Many toothpastes claim that they have a huge role to play when it comes to taking care of your teeth. But the truth is, it’s the act of brushing itself that is of prime benefit, and not whether or not your toothpaste claims to “fight cavities”, or contains “extra whitening”. Just find a flavor and consistency that make brushing your teeth enjoyable. Never use more than a pea-sized amount on your brush, and try not to swallow any more than you have to (keep adult toothpastes out of reach of children).
Regular dental visits and cleanings should be part of your routine, but knowing how to care for teeth and gums on your own can help keep those visits few and far between, usually once every six months. Just remember: taking care of your teeth doesn’t have to be a chore, if you simply make a habit of it. Happy brushing! Continue your research here: rauchfamilydentistry.com
